Soprano To Star At Sandown

By Ashley Iveson, PA

Soprano is expected to stamp her class on the European Bloodstock News EBF Star Stakes at Sandown.

George Boughey's filly made a huge impression on her racecourse debut at Newmarket's Guineas Festival and as a result headed for Royal Ascot as a major contender. 

She had to make do with minor honours in the Albany Stakes, but there was plenty of encouragement to be taken from her third-placed finish from an unfavourable draw.

The form could hardly be working out better, with the runner-up Matrika since winning a Group Two in Ireland and the fourth home Persian Dreamer landing the Duchess of Cambridge at the July meeting.

Soprano herself was in line for the latter contest before a medication mix-up led to her withdrawal and her connections can be compensated with a Listed success in Esher.

Arabian Crown is difficult to oppose in the Martin Densham Memorial British EBF Maiden Stakes.

Plenty was expected of the E600,000 purchase on his Sandown debut three weeks ago, with punters ensuring he went off a prohibitively priced 5-4 favourite.

The son of Dubawi ultimately took too long to hit top gear, but was making ground quickly at the death under tender handling and was only beaten three-quarters of a length into third place.

He should be more switched on at the second attempt and just a fraction of progress will make him hard to beat.

Nothing To Sea is tipped to give weight and a beating to his rivals in the George Lindon-Travers Memorial Handicap.

The Ralph Beckett-trained gelding opened his account at the third time of asking at Newbury in May following a couple of sound efforts in defeat.

He takes a big hike in distance on his return from a break, but his stout pedigree suggests the longer trip will be more of a help than a hindrance and an opening mark of 91 could prove lenient.

Doncaster punters should side with Shagpyle in the Godolphin Development Series Fillies' Novice Stakes.

The three-year-old has plenty to live up to as a Frankel half-sister to top-class stablemate Pyledriver, but could hardly have made a better start to her career at Ascot in May.

She was second best at Haydock next time behind Truthful, who admittedly did not do much for the form in a Listed race at Newmarket last week, but Shagpyle nevertheless remains an promising project and a return to softer ground should suit.

Typical Woman can notch a second successive win in the Rayner Bosch Car Service Handicap at Newbury's evening fixture.

The four-year-old had been hinting her winning turn was not far away and she duly snapped a losing run dating back almost two years at Haydock recently.

The booking of William Buick on Merseyside suggested connections meant business and she was produced late to win a shade cosily by half a length. A 4lb rise does not look beyond her.

Cumulonimbus looks the pick of Frankie Dettori's two rides on the opening night of the 2023 Racing League at Yarmouth.

The Charlie Fellowes-trained gelding won at Newmarket in May and Haydock in June and was beaten just over a length on his return to the latter venue for the Old Newton Cup on his latest appearance.

He already has a Yarmouth win on his record and looks sure to go close again.

Best Mate Dave is rated the best bet over the jumps at Worcester.

The six-year-old put inauspicious bumper and novice hurdle form behind him when scoring on his handicap debut over the course and distance and he can defy a 7lb rise under Sam Twiston-Davies in the FBC Manby Bowdler Handicap Hurdle.

SELECTIONS:

DONCASTER: 2.30 Be Proud, 3.05 Harry's Halo, 3.40 Approval, 4.15 Shagpyle, 4.45 Lunacy, 5.20 Le Reveur.

LEOPARDSTOWN: 4.37 Brilliant, 5.12 Mysteries, 5.47 Islandsinthestream, 6.22 Tarawa, 6.52 Instant Appeal, 7.22 Encosta, 7.52 Waltham, 8.22 Moon Over Claddagh.

LIMERICK: 5.00 Shajak, 5.35 Florey Spud, 6.05 Gino Drummer Boy, 6.35 How Decc, 7.05 Winnie Woodnutt, 7.35 Hand Over Fist, 8.05 Fathom Two.

NEWBURY: 6.15 At Liberty, 6.45 Hot Fashion, 7.15 Be Prepared, 7.45 Tin Fandango, 8.15 Expert Witness, 8.45 Typical Woman.

SANDOWN: 2.10 Just Glamorous, 2.40 Arabian Crown, 3.15 SOPRANO (NAP), 3.50 Nothing To Sea, 4.20 Paris Lights, 4.55 Aurora Charm.

WORCESTER: 2.20 Sermando, 2.50 Tiger Orchid, 3.25 State Of Bliss, 4.00 Came From Nothing, 4.32 Best Mate Dave, 5.07 Sylvies Dance.

YARMOUTH: 5.30 Midnight Lir, 6.00 Shobiz, 6.30 Shahbaz, 7.00 Persuasion, 7.30 Sir Titus, 8.00 Rhythmic Intent, 8.30 Cumulonimbus.

DOUBLE: Soprano and Cumulonimbus.

TAB is betting on 5 UK meetings today. Here are the tips.

SANDOWN: Race 1: 15.10 Just Glamorous, Race 2: 15.40 Arabian Crown, Race 3: 16.15 SOPRANO (NAP), Race 4: 16.50 Nothing To Sea, Race 5: 17.20 Paris Lights, Race 6: 17.55 Aurora Charm.

WORCESTER: Race 1: 15.20 Sermando, Race 2: 15.50 Tiger Orchid, Race 3: 16.25 State Of Bliss, Race 4: 17.00 Came From Nothing, Race 5: 17.32 Best Mate Dave, Race 6: 18.07 Sylvies Dance.

DONCASTER: Race 1: 15.30 Be Proud, Race 2: 16.05 Harry's Halo, Race 3: 16.40 Approval, Race 4: 17.15 Shagpyle, Race 5: 17.45 Lunacy, Race 6: 18.20 Le Reveur.

YARMOUTH: Race 1: 18.30 Midnight Lir, Race 2: 19.00 Shobiz, Race 3: 19.30 Shahbaz, Race 4: 20.00 Persuasion, Race 5: 20.30 Sir Titus, Race 6: 21.00 Rhythmic Intent, Race 7: 21.30 Cumulonimbus.

NEWBURY: Race 1: 19.15 At Liberty, Race 2: 19.45 Hot Fashion, Race 3: 20.15 Be Prepared, Race 4: 20.45 Tin Fandango, Race 5: 21.15 Expert Witness, Race 6: 21.45 Typical Woman.

ALL TO COME: Soprano (Sandown, Race 3) and Cumulonimbus (Yarmouth, Race 7).

For fields, race betting and more information go to www.tab4racing.com